2019 D2CCA Football All-Region Release
Postseason awards time is the ideal window to recognize the least-recognized position in the sport of football, and one of Hillsdale College's top players was among the recognized Friday afternoon.
Senior offensive lineman Mark Konkle was selected to the Super Region 1 All-Region Team by the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association. He is now eligible for All-American consideration. The D2CCA awards program includes sports information directors from Super Region 1 nominating and voting on student-athlete nominees for all-region consideration.
A four-year starter, the last two at left tackle for the Chargers, Konkle was a stabilizing force on the offensive line for Hillsdale throughout his career. He started the final 24 consecutive games of his career at the all-important left tackle position, and was named First-Team All-G-MAC in 2018 and 2019. He was a key part of the Chargers' conference champion and playoff teams in 2018, and in 2019, was the team's Offensive Lineman of the Year and the G-MAC Offensive Lineman of the Year.
He led the way for tailback David Graham, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2019, and was the primary protector for freshman quarterback Luke Keller, the 2019 G-MAC Freshman of the Year.
A team captain, Konkle also earned other team accolades during the 2019 season. He won the Howard "Champ" Messenger Award in recognition of his outstanding play on the field and performance in the classroom. He was also a member of the G-MAC Academic Excellence Team twice in his career.
PHOTO: Todd Lancaster